Solar Tour Montpelier

Emily HartzIra Marvin

Michael McDonald

The Geodesic Dome

Construction

•Frame kit available from Timberline

•8 inch walls

•Cellulose hard packed insulation

•Foam block form foundation

$10,000 more, but R value 50 buried and R value 19 in the air

Interior

Woodstove

Radiant floor

Joists need reflective material

Cupola on top floor

House is designed to accommodate accessibility additions

Two Bedrooms

Photovoltaic System

4 panels

6 would be ideal

85% Summer

65% Winter

$2000 per panel

Back-up propane generator

Power Storage27 kwh Battery Bank

1 wet cell lead acid

Some loads are DC direct from battery

lights

answering machine

telephone

well pump

Back-up Propane generator

Max power controler

Allows panels to operate most efficiently

Adds 30-40%

John’s HouseRough Lumber from Local Mill

Spruce Siding from Local Mill

Roof Slate Recycled from Old Barn

House is Super Insulated (R 30 walls dense-pack cellulose)

Casement Windows are R 6

Heat w/ Wood, 1 cord/winter

Back-up radiant heat

1400 square feet + basement

Greenhouse is mostly recycled

Double Pane Glass in Greenhouse

Greenhouse Wood is Salvaged old-growth Cypress

NO PLYWOOD!

Interior

On a Sunny Day in Winter, 100% of heat from Passive Design

Clear story and Cupola Provide Cooling Draw in Summer

Ventilation Fans for Fresh Air

Wood heat from Old Kitchen Cook Stove

Lights, water pump, refrigerator, stereo all DC

Total use of 2kw/day!

Propane hot water and back-up generator